GREAT to see all of the up-and-coming football talent, boys and girls on display over the weekend when the Wanganui representative age-group sides hosted Manawatu and Taranaki in "Game Day" 1.
Wembley Park was bustling with eager players, supportive parents and officials.
It was also great to see a number of Wanganui's up-and-coming referees out getting some decent experience as they begin what could be long careers with the whistle.
To the games themselves, the emphasis was not on results, but more development of the identified collective talents. But there arises a point of interest ... the 16 age-group girls are allowed to call on older players to help out the younger ones come game time.
All sounds fine, and has its positives; as most know, a couple of "experienced" heads can do wonders for others. But when a young one doesn't even get on, where is the development? I can happily say this was not an issue for the Wanganui contingent. A bit of food for thought for the powers that be perhaps?